Remember - You're In God's Hands Today!

"Today's Devotion" For May 1, 2006

Read: Acts 12:1-19; Psalm 46

REMEMBER: YOU'RE IN GOD'S HANDS TODAY!

"Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent His angel and rescued me..." (Acts 12:11)

Do we live in a dangerous world? No doubt, any person in his or her right mind would answer that question in the affirmative. Of course, on a daily basis, many of us don't even consider such a question. Meanwhile there soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen, and Coast Guardsmen who are facing danger on a daily basis, halfway around the world, so we don't have to. They would give us a resounding "Affirmative!" if we posed that question to them.

Do we live in a dangerous world? Perhaps we ought to ask the police officers on patrol who stop a person for speeding, only to have that person draw a weapon and fire at them - at which point speeding was the least of their concerns. Or maybe we could pose that same question to the fire fighters who answer a call to a fire only to have the blaze go out of control and threaten their lives. No doubt, if we asked this question, "Do we live in a dangerous world?", of these people who serve and protect, they, too, would answer "Affirmative!"

While there are great dangers to our safety and security all around us, we depend upon others, such as the military, the police, and fire fighters (to name just a few) to keep the dangers and threats to our security from disrupting our lives and endangering our safety. While in some parts of our cities, safety and security are not taken for granted due to high crime rates fueled by myriad causes, in much of the rest of our nation, people live relatively oblivious to the dangers which threaten them daily.

A far more dangerous and greater threat to our safety and security comes in the spiritual realm. Too often we are even more complacent about the spiritual dangers we face than the physical ones. Too often, if we can't see them, hear them, or touch them - if they're just not "slapping us in the face" - spiritual dangers just kind of "slide past us" until it's too late. When the physical and spiritual dangers come together at one time, then we've got a very volatile combination and no amount of military hardware, police presence, or fire fighting skills are going to keep us safe.

As we read in the Book of Acts today (chapter 12) we note that the Apostles were faced with that lethal combination of physical and spiritual danger. James, the brother of John (the sons of Zebedee) was put to death by King Herod for believing in and following Jesus. Peter was also seized and imprisoned, to be put on public trial after the Passover, and subsequently put to death, all because he believed in and followed Jesus.

"Situation: Hopeless?" Not at all. While Peter sat in prison, the church prayed for him to be delivered. They called on God to insure his safety. They weren't bashful or timid about it, but "were earnestly praying to God for him" (Acts 12:5). And, according to His promises, God answered their prayers. He didn't send an army of soldiers; the police weren't called upon; no firefighters came to break down the doors in a dramatic rescue. Rather, God sent one of His angels to bring Peter out of the prison. The angel led Peter throught the prison, past the guards (unseen), and out locked doors which just opened before them. And Peter was free.

Subsequent to his "escape" from prison, Herod put on a house-to-house search, but to no avail. Although they had no control over the situation, the guards at the jail were questioned and subsequently put to death for "letting" Peter escape. The world of those guards, the world of Peter and James, and our world were, and are, desperately dangerous places. Only by the grace of God are we able to live calm and peaceful lives, knowing that we are held in His hand and that He will not let any evil befall us that could separate us from His love.

If God could deliver Peter in the manner He did, through the work of one of His angels, how sure can't we be that He also protects and delivers us from all evil - just as He has promised? When we look at Peter's situation, we don't see an escape - we see a release. We don't see him fleeing, but we see him being set free. That's how God is also working in us and among us today as well. While we don't see them Scripture reminds us that "He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone" (Ps. 91:11, 12). Peter's release from prison by the angel serves as a reminder to us that we're in God's hands, today and everyday. We take hope and comfort in the face of both physical and spiritual dangers that nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:39) - He will deliver us and we will honor Him (Ps. 50:15).

Prayer: Father, I thank and praise You for Your providential protection and care for me in the face of a dangerous world. When Peter was imprisoned and in danger of his life, You heard the prayers of Your people and delivered him from the jaws of death. As You heard the prayers of Your people, I am reminded that You hear my prayers as well. As You delivered Peter from the jaws of death, I am reminded that You deliver me and protect me every day as well. As You sent Your angel to watch over Peter, I am reminded that they are also watching over me as well. In the face of a dangerous world, both physically and spiritually, I pray that You would continually remind me that I am in Your hands, that You will never leave me or forsake me, and that nothing can snatch me out of Your hands. Give me the courage to live each day for You and the peace to know that no matter what happens, I am Your dearly beloved and redeemed child in Jesus. Let my life be a witness to Your love and protection. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2006 The Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.